Musical Director

David Smart LLCM

David started his musical life at 13 years old as a trombonist for Barnstaple Town Military Band and Bideford Town Brass Band. He then joined the Army and was posted to the Band of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. In 1988 he went to the Royal Military School of Music for two years where he took a change of course and studied flute and classical piano under Graham Mayger and Veronica Clayton respectively. It was while he was at Kneller Hall that David discovered a passion for composing and writing arrangements for band.

1992 saw another career move for David when he successfully passed an audition for the Life Guards Band of the Household Cavalry. During a series of summer concerts David was persuaded by the Director of Music to take another musical change and he became the principal oboist of the band, a position he held until he left the army in 1998.

During his military service, David has performed all around the world, playing for the members of the Royal Family, The Lord Mayor of London and many Ambassadors and diplomats.

Since leaving the army David became the principal oboist and then additionally, the Bandmaster (Deputy Conductor) for the Central Band of the Royal British Legion. He has also performed for a variety of local ensembles in Hampshire and Surrey, including Farnborough Symphony Orchestra.

In 2003 David was appointed the Director of Music of Farnbrough Concert Band of the Royal British Legion and first came across Hart Male Voice Choir when they worked together that year at the Annual Aldershot Proms Concert. Since then David has created many arrangements for band and vocalist and choir. As a Musical Director David has worked with many local vocalists/choirs in this brief time, including Park Angels Choir, The Luard Trio, Mezzo Soprano Valerie Wright and Soprano Margaret Threadgold.

In August 2006 David became the principapl oboist of the newly formed Royal Marines Association Concert Band, which performs concerts in the South East of England including the Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke. This band is primarily made up of ex Royal Marine musicians and by that nature is a formidable band.

In 2008 David was invited to become the Musical Director for the Odiham and District Scout Fellowship Pantomime. As well taking music rehearsals, this requires David to arrange all the music for the entire show for the pit orchestra. David enjoys working with and teaching the children/young adults to sing and watching their develpoment through the four month rehearsals through to the spectacle of the performances.

Having been appointed the new Musical Director of the Hart Male Voice Choir, David is aware of the choir's achievements and the legacy entrusted to him by his predecessor Valerie Hoppé. David is looking forward to the challenge of working with such a large and well respected and renowned choir and is looking forward to broadening his and the choir's knowledge of repertoire and their reputation.

David's philosophy to music is that it has to be fun and enjoyable to both the performers and audiences alike, so that everyone gets something out of what they hear or sing.